Rugby Tackle

When, where, why and how you make a rugby tackle is an important part
of the game. Know what tacklers and tackled players are and what you must do.

Tackles

How do you tackle in rugby?

The best way to stop the ball carrier is to get hold of them and take
them to the ground - tackle them!

You must bear this in mind

you can only tackle the ball carrier

you can only tackle in the field of play

to be considered "tackled" the ball carrier must be held
by one or more opponents and
put on the ground (or on top of another player on the ground)
- as little as one knee on the ground is enough.

ball carrier must be being held when grounded or they're not tackled

A player cannot be tackled when a maul has formed.

What you must do when you are tackled

If tackled you must immediately

avoid postioning your body in a way that prevents the opposition from
getting possession.

pass the ball or release it. This may include putting it on the ground
in any direction

get up or move away (leaving the ball where it is) or make sure you
are not blocking opponents getting possession of the ball

What you must do if you are a tackler

Only when you go to ground with the tackled player are you a "tackler"

If you are a tackler you must immediately

release the tackled player (when they have been grounded)

get to your feet or move away from the tackled player and the ball

If you get to your feet, you may then play the ball. You may approach
the ball from any direction in order to play it.

What if you are not involved in the tackle?

Only one player can be tackled - the ball carrier. Any number of players
can be involved in taking the ball carrier to the ground - they are tacklers
if they also go to ground. All the
other players are "Other Players".

you must stay on your feet

you may play the ball if you are on your feet but there
are restrictions on how you do it. Find out more about these
situations - investigate
rugby support play
in the section on how to play rugby.